This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Unified Police Department officers had two known gang members behind bars Wednesday, the day after a brief high-speed chase ended with a smashed parked car and collision with a tree.
UPD Lt. Justin Hoyal said the incident began about 11 p.m. Tuesday when an officer attempted to pull over a suspected stolen car near 5000 South and 4000 West in Taylorsville.
"There was a short pursuit. The suspect vehicle hit a parked car and then a tree at 3960 W. Ridgecrest Drive (4800 South), where the suspects attempted to flee on foot. Officers quickly apprehended them," Hoyal said.
When they searched the wrecked car, officers found a Glock 9mm pistol on the driver's seat that had been reported stolen. UPD was still trying to clarify ownership of the car, though early indications were that neither of the suspects owned the vehicle.
Background checks of the two suspects — the 34-year-old driver and his 29-year-old passenger — showed both were confirmed street gang members, Hoyal said.
The two were booked into Salt Lake County Jail on suspicion of felony fleeing from law enforcement officers, possession of a firearm by a restricted person, possession of a stolen firearm, leaving the scene of a property damage accident and on outstanding, but unspecified arrest warrants.